Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae

The hotel is highly praised for its exceptional staff service and its convenient access to Sapporo Station via an underground passage, making it a memorable choice for many travelers. Guests consistently commend the hotel's cleanliness, the friendliness of its staff, and its prime location. It is particularly well-suited for business travelers due to its quiet environment and comprehensive amenities, and for sightseers and families who benefit from easy access to attractions and comfortable, spacious rooms. Couples also find it ideal for a relaxing getaway. To enhance your visit, guests recommend utilizing the direct underground connection to the station, especially during inclement weather, and exploring the highly-praised breakfast options for a taste of local cuisine.

Facilities & Amenities
Many guests appreciate the wide range of amenities available for self-selection in the lobby, including various toiletries, face masks, and bath salts, adding a personalized touch to their stay. The hotel also provides practical facilities such as a laundromat with washer/dryer units, though some guests noted issues with the dryer's effectiveness. For convenience, vending machines and a microwave are available on certain floors. Inside the rooms, guests find useful items like air purifiers and multi-use charging cables, enhancing comfort and connectivity. A unique touch mentioned by some is a dedicated comic book section and tea in the lobby area, offering a relaxing space for guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently receives high praise for its clean rooms and overall tidiness, contributing to a pleasant stay for most guests. The beds are described as comfortable, often with extra pillows provided, ensuring a restful night's sleep. While rooms are generally considered spacious enough for luggage, especially for single or double occupancy, some guests in triple rooms found one bed to be smaller. Water pressure in the showers is noted as good. However, a recurring concern for some guests is a persistent unpleasant smell in the bathroom, described as a sewage or urine odor, and occasional issues with mold or smelly shower curtains. Noise levels from outside or neighboring rooms are generally low, though some minor sounds were occasionally heard.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel is highly commended by numerous guests, often described as "really good," "excellent," and a "must-have." It features a variety of options, including Hokkaido local specialties like soup curry, seafood bowls, and pork bowls, alongside Japanese and Western-style dishes. Many guests found the food quality to be delicious and satisfying, offering good value. A notable benefit is the flexibility of the breakfast voucher, which can be exchanged for souvenirs, lunch, or dinner, a thoughtful gesture for those unable to dine in the morning. While most feedback is positive, some specific dishes received mixed reviews, such as the strong garlic in the soup curry or the texture of reheated grilled fish. The restaurant atmosphere, located in an izakaya, was generally fine in the morning, though some noted a lingering smell from evening smoking.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, making it a significant draw for guests. It is situated within a 5 to 10-minute walk from Sapporo Station, with excellent access via an underground passage (Exit 22, 23, or 24), which is particularly beneficial during bad weather or winter. This connectivity also provides easy reach to Odori Park and Susukino, either by walking or a short subway ride. Numerous convenience stores are located nearby, ensuring easy access to daily necessities. An airport bus stop is also conveniently close. While parking is available, guests noted it requires advance reservation and can involve specific procedures upon arrival, with some isolated concerns regarding staff guidance and safety during the parking process.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives glowing reviews for their exceptional friendliness, politeness, and helpfulness. Guests frequently highlight their attentive service, from warm greetings upon entry and exit to proactive assistance with various requests. The check-in and check-out processes are described as quick and smooth. Many appreciate the staff's willingness to go the extra mile, such as assisting with restaurant bookings, providing thoughtful notes, or lending wheelchairs. While some staff may have limited English proficiency, they effectively use translation assistance to ensure clear communication. Overall, the professionalism and accommodating nature of the team significantly contribute to a positive guest experience, making visitors feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout their stay.

Additional Information
The hotel implements a daily cleaning policy that allows guests to specify their cleaning preferences via the in-room TV, a system some found convenient while others noted it could be cumbersome if not prominently displayed. For those opting out of full cleaning, fresh towels and amenities are thoughtfully left on the doorknob. The amenity selection at the lobby is extensive and self-service, providing guests with a wide array of items beyond standard toiletries, including unique offerings like face masks and various teas. While the hotel provides standard pillows, some guests expressed a preference for pillow options of varying heights or firmness to enhance sleep comfort.